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Folk Files: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Olivia Harding
Welcome to Folk Files, a podcast hosted by Olivia Harding that seeks to uncover the mysteries of folk music throughout the ages and dive deep into the tangled history of murder ballads, sea shanties, rebel songs, and other music that has withstood the test of time!
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- May 17, 202622 min
Episode #3.5 - Rise Again
Stan Rogers was one of Canada's greatest singer-songwriters, despite his music having never had major distribution or significant radio playtime. In this episode, I discuss the (tragically short) life of the impressive baritone and dissect his songs in order to answer this question: What makes his songs such instant folk classics? Host and Producer: Olivia Harding Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton Learn more about TransTrad: https://www.transtradfest.org/ Watch the One Warm Line: The Legacy of Stan Rogers: https://youtu.be/-h9A2RAfv9M?si=EJMzxJbvwi_upiEj Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast For a full list of musical excerpts, head to the Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/season-3/episode-3-5/
- Apr 24, 202627 min
Episode #3.4 - There Were Two Sisters
A harrowing murder ballad in which an older sister shoves her younger sister in the water (and sometimes a musician makes an instrument from the drowned girl's corpse) can be found all over Great Britain, North America, and Scandinavia. But where did it originally come from? And how has the story changed as it's traveled across seas? Find out in this episode of Folk Files, all about "Twa Sisters." Host: Olivia Harding Learn more about the Spokane Fall Folk Festival: https://www.spokanefolkfestival.org/ For more on this ballad, check out the In the Roud podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj8x5X1kCc0 Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the new Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/uncategorized/episode-3-4/
- Mar 16, 202640 min
Episode #3.3 - The Music of Temple Bar
In this St. Patrick's Day episode, I ask the question: Is it actually Irish? We will explore over thirty songs that are performed in Irish contexts and see if they actually come from Irish sources. Along the way, we'll discuss the Rising of 1798, the history of Dublin, the Great Famine, and the Irish diaspora. Host: Olivia Harding Learn more about the Albuquerque Folk Festival: https://www.abqfolkfest.org/ Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the new Folk Files website:
- Feb 19, 202627 min
Episode #3.2 - He Never Returned
Is "The MTA Song" a conservative song or a communist song (or neither)? And why did record companies try to hide the origins of the tune of one of the most prolific early 20th century country songs? Find out in this episode of Folk Files, which discusses "The MTA," "The Wreck of the Old '97," and "The Ship That Never Returned." Host: Olivia Harding Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast Check out the new website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/ Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton Reach out to Folk Files at folkfilespodcast@gmail.com For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/season-3/episode-3-2/
- Jan 20, 202626 min
Episode #3.1 - Piping in the Haggis
Welcome to the third season of Folk Files! We are starting off the year with a Robert Burns-themed episode to celebrate Burns Night on January 25th. Learn about the traditions associated with the Burns Night Supper and discover how Robert Burns was indispensable when it came to preserving Scottish folk music. Host: Olivia Harding Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast Check out the new website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/ Listen to The Rhythm Atlas: https://rhythmatlas.com/listen/ Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton Reach out to Folk Files at folkfilespodcast@gmail.com For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/season-3/episode-3-1/
- Dec 18, 202525 min
Episode #2.12 - Lully, Lulla
Happy Holidays! Coventry Carol is a lullaby to a "little tiny child"...but surprisingly, that child is not Jesus. Learn more about this Christmas carol that was almost lost to time, including the history of modern Western Theatre and the origins of the picardy third, in this final episode of the second season of Folk Files. Host: Olivia Harding Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton Musical excerpts: ARTIST: The Sixteen WORK: The Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/_jIYyPOoEc8?si=mgPi4WH4G9LUnMT7 ARTIST: Sting (from A Winter's Night Live from Durham Cathedral) WORK: Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/hahwYqQd_gA?si=wJR4Qz-ZmUW9IaD2 ARTIST: Nora Fischer and Marnix Dorrestein WORK: Oblivion Soave from Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea SOURCE: https://youtu.be/JTHQqJDV4os?si=820upsG60MJJyC5M ARTIST: Jeanette Blakeley WORK: "Lullaby" from Menotti's The Consul SOURCE: https://youtu.be/nImWN8o1f-E?si=Coj_UsTcod6m1Bbr ARTIST: Barry and Beth Hall WORK: Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/JCFg4S3kSV4?si=CleozvHduvVsAAxB ARTIST: Chicago WORK: Wishing You Were Here SOURCE: https://youtu.be/Zv0OwvsP0ek?si=cVc25wbawFlT7pkw ARTIST: The Zombies WORK: Time of the Season SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8ecsAI3FhY ARTIST: Alison Moyet WORK: The Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/kcrYqDqCN_Y?si=DoKE80e3peRMtvSo ARTIST: The Choir of Magdalen College Oxford WORK: Song of the Nuns of Chester SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0UtKzXb9Js ARTIST: The Cambridge Singers WORK: Coventry Carol (composed by Kenneth Leighton) SOURCE: https://youtu.be/uAA0lZ1YG90?si=VQYE2a0KSeFhZGks ARTIST: Sufjan Stevens WORK: Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/o6492UYw_hs?si=U0k6ZlmkfoIcULct
- Dec 5, 202546 min
Bonus Episode: The Ballad World of Anna Gordon
In this bonus episode of Folk Files, I interview Ruth Perry, the author of The Ballad World of Anna Gordon, Mrs. Brown of Falkland. Anna Gordon is one of the most famous source singers in the history of folk music from the British Isles, and Ruth Perry's book dives into her life as a woman and ballad singer in 18th century Scotland. The book is available at https://global.oup.com/academic/ It's pricy, and understandably so, since it contains a wealth of new information and scholarship, but you can use the discount code AAFLYG6 to save 30%. You can listen to the accompanying ballads for free at https://global.oup.com/booksites/content/9780198939092/ In this episode, I use clips from the following songs: Lady Elspat, King Henry, Lamkin, and Thomas Rymer & Queen of Elfland You can purchase a CD with all twelve of the ballads at birnamcdshop.com or on Amazon (See more information here: https://www.birnamcd.com/birnam-pr/anna-gordon/ ) This interview has been edited for time. Special Thanks to Ruth Perry and Aaron J. Morton
- Nov 21, 202526 min
Episode #2.11 - The Flower of England
For a long time, "The Death of Queen Jane" has been considered a folk song that takes artistic liberties with the historic event of the birth of Edward VI to Jane Seymour in 1537. But is it possible that the song hints at a more complicated story, filled with propaganda and intrigue? Explore the intersection of Tudor history and folk ballads in this episode of Folk Files. Host: Olivia Harding Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast Musical excerpts: ARTIST: Oscar Isaac WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfeKFKG3JWM ARTIST: Cyril Tawney WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESUdOHChNKw ARTIST: Joan Baez WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6ZNp9le6x8 ARTIST: Bedlam Early Music WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYGWmV2XAnU ARTIST: Peggy Seeger WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://youtu.be/7z0KILKEZhk?si=qmkqUwFtPVlKyaGH ARTIST: Duncan Williamson WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AB34LE2XNHS5FC8O ARTIST: John Jacob Niles WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnUaWKysPQM ARTIST: Isla Cameron WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://youtu.be/mMmHkgq1_T0?si=MAzM8qm8_0wHxoAc ARTIST: Karine Polwart WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT2uqT3am1M ARTIST: Bothy Band WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYHkpjkZvJA
About Folk Files
Welcome to Folk Files, a podcast hosted by Olivia Harding that seeks to uncover the mysteries of folk music throughout the ages and dive deep into the tangled history of murder ballads, sea shanties, rebel songs, and other music that has withstood the test of time!
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